NEGROS, Philippines - Fifteen people have died due to dengue in Negros Occidental, the provincial health office (PHO) said Thursday.

The Negros Occidental PHO said that the 15 fatalities were among the 2,196 cases it recorded from January to July 31 this year.

The PHO said that the death count is higher compared to the 13 fatalities recorded during the same period last year.

Provincial health officials, meanwhile, are hopeful that the increase in the number of dengue cases in the province will slow down this month.

Based on the data released by the PHO, a bulk of the dengue cases were recorded in July. Silay City has the most number of cases followed by Cadiz, Talisay, Himamaylan and Kabankalan cities. -- Report from Barbara Mijares, ABS-CBN Negros